Drugs End Career For Sunderland Youngster

19 February 2013 12:51

The FA have banned former Sunderland youth player Lewis Gibbons for two years for failing a random drugs test last year.

Sunderland told him there is no way back for him at the club following his drug shame.

Gibbons was found to have cocaine and cannabis in his blood stream.

He admitted two breaches of the FA’s anti-doping regulations after testing positive for two prohibited substances following his side’s under-18 league match against Aston Villa on September 22, 2012.

Sunderland Academy Manager Ged McNamee: “Lewis not only let our club down, he let himself and his team-mates down massively.

“We took the strongest possible action in terminating his contract as every footballer knows the severe consequences of this type of offence.

“We have, however, worked to ensure support and assistance was available to the player and his family through what has undoubtedly been a difficult and challenging time for them.”

Sunderland’s chief executive Margaret Byrne: “Empowering and educating our young people to make the right choices and decisions, both on and off the field, is fundamental to our Academy philosophy and ethos.

“We expect the highest standards of all players who have the honour of being part of Sunderland AFC, which is why this came as such a shock.

“It was enormously disappointing for everyone at the club who works so hard to support our young players and give them every opportunity to make it as professional footballers.